TESTS - Niagara Vascular Laboratory

What is it? A Carotid Duplex Examination is an ultrasound test of the carotid arteries in the neck that lead to the brain. This study is used to detect a blockage or narrowing of the carotid arteries which may cause a stroke.

What can I expect during the examination? The Carotid Duplex Examination takes about 30 minutes. There are no special preparations. You should where a loose fitting shirt or blouse that does not have a high neck. You will lie on an exam table in a darkened room while the technologist performs the exam. Your doctor will receive the test results in approximately 2 working days.

What kind of symptoms might I experience if there were a blockage in my carotid arteries?There are several signs and symptoms that you may experience such as:

Carotid bruit (a noise or murmur heard in the neck when your doctor listens to your neck with a stethoscope)

Loss of balance Vertigo (dizziness)

Aphasia (inability to speak)

Numbness or weakness on one side of your body

Amaurosis Fugax (transient blindness in one eye)

Syncope (fainting)

What is it? An Arterial Evaluation of the legs is a noninvasive procedure used to screen for peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or blockages in the arteries.

What can I expect during the examination?The technologist will wrap a blood pressure cuff around each ankle, calf and thigh, and measure the blood pressure at these levels. By analyzing measurements made with blood pressure cuffs on the ankles, calves and thighs, narrowing of the arteries can be determined.Your doctor may request that the test be done with exercise as well. The exercise portion of this study involves walking on a treadmill at a normal rate for 5 minutes.Your doctor will receive the test results in about 2 working days.

What kinds of symptoms might I experience if I had PVD?There are many signs and symptoms that you may experience such as:

Pain in the legs, feet or toes (especially with walking or exercise, that is relieved with rest)

Coldness in the feet or legs Paleness of the feet when elevated

Paleness of the feet when elevated

Numbness or tingling in the feet or toes

Blue or red discoloration of the feet or toes

What is it? A Venous Doppler Examination uses ultrasound to create a two-dimensional picture of your veins. This test is helpful in diagnosing a blood clot or a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis.) This exam may also be used to measure the size of the vein being used for bypass surgery.

What kind of symptoms might I experience if I had a deep vein thrombosis?There are many signs and symptoms that you may experience such as:

Limb swelling

Pain/Tenderness

Acute shortness of breath (occasionally a pulmonary embolus or blood clot in the lung is caused by a blood clot in the leg which has broken off a traveled to the lung)

What is it? A Venous Reflux Examination is a noninvasive test that is used to test the valves in the veins of the legs.

What can I expect during the examination?A small sensor will be taped to your leg. The technologist will ask you to pump your foot up and down several times. The pumping action pushes blood up the leg toward the heart. The sensor measures how quickly the blood returns down to the ankle. From these measurements, the technologist can determine if the valves are working properly (venous valvular insufficiency.)Your doctor will receive the test results in approximately 2 working days.

What kind of symptoms might I experience if I have venous valvular insufficiency? There are many signs and symptoms that you may experience such as: